AVTuco

Guzan!

Well done again Antonio!

I know we're losing, but this match is much better than the last couple we've played.

Our guys are trying, they're not giving up.

Get Clark on, I don't care if he's hurt!

Two Spurs alone in front of Guzan.

Bacuna and Luna making things happen offensively.

Finally: GAMEDAY!

I think we really need a new game to have something to discuss again. All threads for the past week have been the same.

Agreed Czechlad. I avoid a couple threads now because this is going on in them. And thanks for your comments regarding Kozak. I think they're spot on.

According to Whoscored he is the best long ball passer in the league, with 9 accurate long balls per game - matched only by Jagielka. We don't feature in the "Passing Success" table until number 80 & 81 (El Ahmadi and Vlaar) so the tactic of passing it back to Guzan may not be so barking mad... It's still infuriating at times. And embarrasing at others.

Why? After we've already beaten Arsenal and City?

It's neverending...

Still no word, but I am sure it will pop up tomorrow if he will play. Likely will see him on the bench to start the match. I won't be watching the game, so please Czechlad (or anyone else) let us know how Kozak did. Kozak was out due to yellow card accumulation. I will be watching the match today so I'll let everyone know how he did! Thanks Czechlad.

Still no word, but I am sure it will pop up tomorrow if he will play. Likely will see him on the bench to start the match. I won't be watching the game, so please Czechlad (or anyone else) let us know how Kozak did.

Yes, if we lose, that's the reason.

I always thought he was a model professional. Obviously he didn't fit in with Lambert and he was never going to be happy when a player like Bowery was being picked ahead of him. I've nothing against him, his goal scoring record in the Premier League is up there with the best. However I think we have to move on now. I agree we need to move on. Absolutely. I just answered to a question I was asked relating to a post I wrote Aug 31st.

I think the Tonev value is fair to be honest. I'd rate Ireland at £8m / £0m but he is no longer with us. I guess I can put Given in, I forgot about him - £5m / £0m Other than that our team's value is moving in the right direction. What about Bent? £24m to approx £2m Yep, he's still our player....

I think the Tonev value is fair to be honest. I'd rate Ireland at £8m / £0m but he is no longer with us. I guess I can put Given in, I forgot about him - £5m / £0m Other than that our team's value is moving in the right direction. No doubt.

Edit.

Because he was our player. That's why. I hate it when we badmouth players that are leaving. It makes us look incredibly small-time. I have no knowledge of him being a rotten apple. And I won't believe it anymore anyway if someone claims so. I'm not bothered by Fulham.

Maybe it would be even more credible, if even one player was worth less now than at the time of purchase? My suggestion: Tonev 1 mill. He was better when we only watched YouTube clips and no-one could actually see him play.

When Benteke leaves we will have to make changes to our midfield. Whoever is his successor, will likely not be able to create his own chances. If it's Kozak, he needs much better service.

Because they're different types of players filling different roles. They are forwards but that's about all they have in common. It's like asking "Why bring in Benteke when we already have Agbonlahor?" Different attributes to fill different holes in the squad. There's very little that's similar about Bowery and Helenius. Bowery is a big powerful guy, good at holding up the ball and battling with big defenders, handy for taking the ball down to the corner flag when trying to hold on to a lead. Helenius is tall but better with the ball at his feet than in the air, can play in the hole to lay off balls to the main man or run onto rebounds. They will develop differently and into different types of players. I think Kozak was brought in to be a long term replacement for Benteke and I think he will play in a similar role to Benteke. He is still getting used to his teammates and the league and isn't ready to be that guy just yet, but we all know Benteke will be off next year (much as we'd all like him to stay). Kozak has a year to bed in with the squad and grow into that role. He stepped into the shoes a bit early due to the injury and he isn't the finished article yet, but it took Benteke several games to find his feet in the league too. My expectation is that Kozak spends this year bedding in, getting used to the league, getting game time up top with Benteke or off the bench, occasional starts for when Benteke's tired or injured or suspended (the way he throws elbows around he'll be bound to miss a match or two), and he'll be ready to lead the line next season. Helenius and Bowery will probably take a little longer to break into the first team. Bowery might never get there, to be honest, he may never be anything more than a squad player, but the money we spent on these two players, around 1.3m, would not have gotten us too far in the market -- even if you combined that with the Kozak money, for a combined total of about 6m. We would not have been able to bring in the AM we all crave for that kind of money, at least not one ready to go straight into the first team. In Helenius, I think we have a guy who has a very bright future, but that future might be a couple of seasons off still. I thought it was smart to bring Kozak in this year and give him a whole season to bed in, and I think it will pay off in the long run. This is well put Heid3ster, probably the plan is something like this. I wish I was as sure about Kozak's abilities as you. So far, I'm not. But will give him much more time. When Benteke is back, we'll forget about this guy for a while, which may be good for his development. Sitting on the bench for a year probably isn't though.

But you have to take some chances to go forward. Other option is to play hoofball.